NOTE: This posting is out of sequence but I wanted to capture the moment.
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| Moon over Myakka |
Dawn is a time of renewal when yesterday is but a memory and today holds great promise. About 6:30 AM I stepped out of the trailer for a little walk and knew this was a magic morning. The moon is just past full, the air is still cool (50 degrees) as the days lengthen.
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| Trail to the river |
As with any natural area if you are quiet, listen carefully, and observe your surroundings nature unfolds to thrill and amaze. Now, I can't say this morning was any more remarkable than other mornings but it was different with the promise of an early spring.
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| Vulture Tree |
The chirping of small birds were the first sounds to attract my attention, I suspected Sparrows, Warblers, and Wrens in this mix. Above them came several gobbles from the WildTurkeys, this is a distinctive sound which seemed to come from the river. Rambling on towards the river came the songs of Cardinals and Robins, the coo of Mourning Doves, and the feather noise from the Vultures. There are both Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures in the park that co-exist either from companionship or necessity. The vultures roost in a tree near the log pavilion and offer quite a show any time of day.
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| Flighty Vulture |
En-route to the vulture tree I became aware of owls, both the Barred Owl and the Great Horned Owl were voicing their presence. While studying the vulture tree and observing their flighty activity a Red Shouldered Hawk called and
flew across the road.
From the river I again heard the turkeys joined by Osprey seeking prey and recalled the large snakes that had been hit on the road in previous days which provided food for the raptors. As I crossed the grass towards the river the Sandhill Cranes called as they flew overhead,. The first glimpse of the river revealed a layer of mist due to the water/air temperature difference resulting in a mystic cast.
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| Crane in the mist |
A Wood Stork glided down the river as I approached and the Wild Turkeys called from the far bank. The show was far from over as several Great White Egrets landed on the far side hoping to catch a few fish for breakfast.
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| Purple Sage |
It was time to depart for home and my breakfast but there was more to see and hear. A pesky crow chattered above me over the chirps of smaller birds and the Barred Owl hoot. Rounding the corner towards home I was treated to a purple sage,
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| Armadillo Rooting |
armadillo rooting on the path,
and much more than can be told here.
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| Myakka River |
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